A deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is likely to cross the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast between Cuddalore and Sriharikota on 15 November, regional weather office in Chennai said on Sunday, 11 November.
The cyclone, christened 'Gaja', which lay around 860 kms northeast of Chennai and moving at a speed of 12 kmph is likely to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' within the next 24 hours, a bulletin issued at 4 pm said.
Gales reaching 80-90 kms per hour are likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to reporters, Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran said coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu would experience moderate rainfall and heavy rainfall in isolated places from the night of 14 November.
"On 15 November, many places will receive moderate rainfall and isolated places will get heavy rainfall."
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from 12 November and those already in deep sea have been asked to return.
The Indian Meteorological Department, however, said the storm is likely to weaken gradually while crossing towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts as a 'cyclonic storm' during forenoon of 15 November.
Listing out measures taken to face the cyclone, Revenue Administration Commissioner K Satyagopal told reporters in Tirunelveli that medical teams were on stand-by in all districts.
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